Pitman Lake Fishing in Thurston County, Washington

• Overview

  Pitman Lake lies in Thurston County, in Washington. The water sits 197 feet up. It runs to roughly 28 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. It lies lower than most water we list in Washington. Tenino sits 4.5 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Tumwater (6.3 miles) and Lacey (8.6 miles). Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Pitman Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Thurston County: Chum salmon, largemouth bass and bluegill. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Pitman Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 64°F, while December sits near 39°F. Winter here means light layers, not lost months. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Anyone fishing Pitman Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Deep Lake, 1.3 miles away. Signs at Pitman Lake carry more weight than any list.